tracked leaders, led after 6th, hard pressed 3 out, ridden and headed after last, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway to track leaders 9th, mistake 3 out, outpaced next, one pace approaching last
led, mistake 6th, soon headed, tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat
held up in rear, ridden and outpaced 8th, never on terms
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, driven and outpaced between last 2, stayed on to lead after last, soon ridden, headed flat, no extra towards finish
held up, headway 9th, outpaced when hit 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
mid-division, blundered 9th, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division, lost place 6th, soon behind, no danger after
always prominent, mistake and pecked 8th, challenged 2 out, ridden after last, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, held on well towards finish
MISTER MCGOLDRICK sets the standard here and he can account for Keelaghan and Santa's Son. The handicapper has not made life easy for the veteran but he has gone well first time out in the past and with conditions likely to prove no issue, he is taken to land yet another prize in what has been a great career. Keelaghan is the obvious question mark horse. Tony Martin's raider won at Gowran Park in October when well backed to do so and is effectively just 5lb higher if the differential between English and Irish handicapping is taken into consideration. Santa's Son drops in grade having been predictably outclassed in the Celebration Chase and the Queen Mother Chase last term. Oumeyade has left Paul Nicholls cheaply and makes his debut for Donald McCain this afternoon. Palomar is difficult to catch right though does have the benefit of track experience. Calatagan is a capable enough performer over two miles though equally is not without his quirks. Albanov makes his debut for Pauline Robson having traded blows at the upper echelons of the novice division in Ireland in 2008. Marcel has failed to take his opportunities off lower marks over hurdles in recent months and is left well alone until any positive signs of life are evident. A good race for the time of the season and Mister McGoldrick can bring the house down.
Santa's Son (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Led 2nd until 9th, ridden after next, lost 2nd after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 21l behind Twist Magic (11-6) at Sandown 2m chs G 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Oumeyade (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Held up, weakened from 4 out, 12th of 15, well behind Valley Ride (9-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Mister McGoldrick 11-1 (11-5) With leader, led 9th, ridden 2 out, headed before last, one pace flat, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Tell Henry (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Palomar (USA) 8-1 (11-12) Blundered first, always in rear, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 39l behind Tramantano (11-7) at Aintree 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Calatagan (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway on inside after 5th, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, soon hanging badly right, 10th of 15, 18l behind Mutual Friend (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
Keelaghan (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Rear of mid-division, closer in 6th approaching 4 out, 5th approaching 3 out, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace without threatening, 4th of 9, 7l behind Keys Pride (10-3) at Cork 2m Ext hcp ch gd in Oct.
Marcel (FR) 15-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Dinarius (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft, 9 ran.
Tom's Toybox 8-1 (11-7) Held up, blundered 2nd, quickly pulled up, in a race won by Striking Article (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct, 8 ran.
Albanov (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, slow 4th, no extra 4 out, pulled up approaching next, in a race won by Maralan (11-4) at Navan 2m nov chs sft in Feb '08, 9 ran.
